Student Support

The Sutton Trust Summer School Programme provides a range of support for students both before and after the Summer School itself.

Year 12 Support

As soon as students are accepted onto the programme, we will be in touch to confirm arrangements. In addition, students also receive:

Before the residential

Regular e-communication designed to prepare students for the Summer Residential.

A Durham Sutton Trust Summer School Handbook packed full of useful information about what to expect during the residential and year 13.

Train tickets are arranged and purchased for students by Durham University and these are sent to students before the Summer School.

Pre arrival information is sent to students before the Summer School and contact information is given to students in case they need to contact the team during the journey to the Summer School.

During the Summer School

All meals, accommodation, teaching and travel during the residential are provided by the Sutton Trust and Durham University.

Students are allocated into a mentor group with approximately 7 other students. They stay in their group during the week, competing in team challenges and group activities. The mentor group is a great support network and each mentor group is led by a Durham Student Ambassador who will look out for students during the week.

A fully trained team of university managers, catering team, cleaners, academics, support and technical staff and security work together to ensure that students' needs are met during the residential.

Year 13 Support after the Summer School

The support we offer does not stop after the summer school! We hope that students will continue to engage with us and want to get involved. Students on the programme benefit from:

Regular e-communication designed to support students during the university application process and during key points in year 13.

Access to support and guidance offered by the Sutton Trust team regarding UCAS applications, revision techniques and progression to university.

Access to our free e-Mentoring programme, designed to complement support students may receive from school or college. The e-mentoring programme enables students to continue to find out more about Durham and learn from a current Durham student.